lectionary.com

Lenten Season · Annunciation of the Lord · Year B

Hebrews 10:4-10

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

March 25, 2027

The Crucifixion, Léon Bonnat
The Crucifixion, Léon Bonnat, 1874Petit Palais, Paris
Bonnat had the body studied from a cadaver suspended on a cross, and the result was attacked as brutal when it was shown. He painted the ground black and gave the scene no spectators at all.Hebrews 10 says the sacrifices were repeated because they never finished anything, and this is a painting of the one that did, with nobody watching.Petit Palais, ParisBuilt for the 1900 World's Fair and kept as the city of Paris's own fine art museum, free to enter.Petit Palais, Paris
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 1:26-38Lk 1:26-38
Second ReadingHeb. 10:4-10Heb 10:4-10
First ReadingIsa. 7:10-14; 8:10Is 7:10-14; 8:10
Responsorial PsalmPs. 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11 (8a, 9a)Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11 (8a, 9a)

Overview & Insights

“We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

The Ineffectiveness of the Law The argument of the preceding two chapters is restated in this section (10:1–18), bringing the central argument of the epistle, namely, the imperfection of the old order and the perfection of the new, to a conclusion. The only new material in this section is found in verses 5–10, where the author’s thesis finds further support in his exegesis of Psalm 40:6–8. All the other material is a restatement of earlier points. The entire central section is then effectively rounded out by the requotation of Jeremiah 31:33–34. First, however, the author focuses on the repetitious character of the levitical sacrifices, using this to further his argument by pointing to the intrinsic inadequacy implied by the necessity of repetition.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Hebrews 10:4-10

Commentary

Commentary on Hebrews 10:5-10Commentary on Heb 10:5-10 Working Preacher

The RCL page on Christ coming into the world to do the will of God.

Hebrews 10:5-10 CommentaryHeb 10:5-10 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reads the once-for-all obedient offering of Christ as an Advent text.

Hebrews 10 Commentary: Holding Fast with a Perfect SacrificeHeb 10 Commentary: Holding Fast with a Perfect Sacrifice Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse on how Christ's offering replaces the sacrifices of the law.

Hebrews Commentaries & SermonsHeb Commentaries & Sermons Precept Austin

A deep collection of study links and sermons covering Hebrews 10.

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Agape Bible Study

Catholic notes linking Christ's I have come to do your will to Mary's fiat.

Background & Word Study

Book of Hebrews Summary (Overview)Book of Heb Summary (Overview) BibleProject

Animated overview of the letter's case for the superiority of Christ.

Hebrews 10:4 InterlinearHeb 10:4 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word-by-word of the verse on the blood of bulls and goats.

The Church Fathers

Hebrews 10 - Catena Bible & CommentariesHeb 10 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment on the perfect sacrifice of Christ from the Church Fathers.

Questions preachers ask

Why is Christ's sacrifice once for all?

Where the old sacrifices were endlessly repeated, Christ offered a single sacrifice for sins and opened a new and living way into God's presence.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 1:26-38
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.